THE EAST HAMPTON STAR, March 27, 2003
214 Springs-Fireplace: A Supportive Place For Artists - by Carissa Katz

Artists are often thought of as pioneers. Once they "discover" a
place, others tend to follow. Drawn by the intangible pull of the
creative spirit, we mere mortals are able to see a dormant new york
city neighborhood, an abandoned factory, or a mildly unsightly
industrial zone through the prism of the artist's vision. Artistic
types are credited with transforming New York city neighborhoods like
Soho or Williamsburg in Brooklyn,"I think of it as something of a mini
soho in its heyday," said James Demartis, who does custom metal
fabrication. New York was the site of his original studio, but after
losing his previous custom metal fabrication studio in New York,
Mr. Demartis looked at spaces from Montauk to Westhampton Beach before
finding the one on Springs-Fireplace Road. "It's like a one-stop
resource for craftsmen, tradesmen, artists and custom metal
fabrication," Mr. Demartis said. He convinced the town to let him install a forge in his studio and uses it for both art and craft. The mix of arts and industry is a vital one, and Mr. Demartis, who can fall into either category, depending on the project. "When I opened the business it was almost as if each
legitimized the other." " New York was a mecca for custom metal
fabrication for decades leading up to and after the industrial
revolution. Then artists reclaimed those industrial spaces to create
works, custom and unique in the abandoned sites where fabrication was
king for so long. In his sculpture, Mr. Demartis is able to make
iron and hard metals defy their character and appear delicate and
feather light. To pay the bills he does all sorts of custom metal
fabrication, from fabricating copper, zinc, and stainless steel counter tops to making stair rails, the occasional gate, and table bases and even repairing
iron patio furniture and the repair and restoration of historic New York
metalwork.

James Demartis is a metal sculptor and blacksmith living in East
Hampton, NY. His decorative metal work, custom metal fabrication and
metal forge work can be seen from the Hamptons to New York City. As a
blacksmith and artist he serves New York state, New Jersey, Connecticut and beyond.
214 Springs Fireplace Road
East Hampton, NY 11937